Oscar Wilde at Oxford

In 1876, Oscar Wilde, who would later become one of the most famous playwrights, poets, and wit of the late 19th century, was a student at the University of Oxford. Wilde had entered Magdalen College in 1874, where he studied classics, and by 1876, he was already starting to stand out due to his sharp intellect, flamboyant personality, and eccentric style.

At Oxford, Wilde was deeply influenced by his studies and the classical tradition. He was particularly drawn to Greek and Latin literature, which would later inform much of his writing. Wilde's academic brilliance earned him numerous accolades, and in 1878, he was awarded the prestigious Newdigate Prize for poetry, one of the highest honors at Oxford, for his poem *Ravenna*. This achievement solidified his reputation as a rising literary talent.

However, Wilde was not only known for his academic achievements; he quickly gained a reputation for his extravagant and unconventional appearance. With his distinctive long hair, flowing cravats, and attention to fashion, he stood out among his peers. Wilde embraced the aesthetic movement, a philosophy that valued "art for art's sake" and rejected the idea that art should serve any moral or political function. His sense of style and his theatricality were not just expressions of personal taste, but a deliberate part of his identity, setting him apart from the conventional norms of the time.

During his time at Oxford, Wilde was also influenced by a number of key figures, including the poet and scholar Walter Pater, whose emphasis on aestheticism deeply resonated with Wilde. Wilde admired Pater's emphasis on beauty and sensory experience, and this would later play a pivotal role in Wilde's development as a writer and thinker.

In 1876, Wilde was already beginning to shape his literary voice, though he had yet to fully establish himself as a public figure. His years at Oxford marked the beginning of a journey that would lead him to become one of the leading figures of Victorian society and one of the most celebrated writers of the English language. Wilde’s time at Oxford would serve as the foundation for his later works, including plays like *The Importance of Being Earnest* and his novel *The Picture of Dorian Gray*.